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After six seasons in Minnesota, star running back Dalvin Cook is leaving the Vikings. It’s not for a lack of production — the Pro Bowler has topped 1,100 rushing yards in four straight seasons — but rather a steep price tag, with the team saving at least $9 million in 2023 by parting ways with the fan favorite. Now, the question is, are the Vikings right to move on?
Here’s an instant overview of the pros and cons of cutting ties with Cook, as well as our verdict on the decision:
Pros of cutting Cook
This is 2023. While Cook is undeniably one of the NFL’s most explosive pure runners, he’s also going on 28, with almost 1,300 carries of wear and tear at one of the most replaceable positions in the game. Not only that, but his 2020 contract extension would’ve made him the third-highest-paid among all RBs going into this year, due more than $14 million annually through 2025.
Fantasy Fallout
Is Cook of equal or greater value to similarly paid RBs like Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon and Aaron Jones? Sure. But that doesn’t mean any of those players should necessarily command top dollar from forward-thinking teams. Consider, just as an example, how little the reigning NFC champion Eagles — one of the NFL’s top rushing teams — commit to the position, paying a combined $3M for veterans D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny going into 2023.
Even the most ardent Cook fan also has to reckon with the reality of the Vikings’ trajectory. Minnesota has spent much of this offseason shedding, not adding, proven playmakers, saying farewell to vets like Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks and Za’Darius Smith, while refusing to commit to quarterback Kirk Cousins beyond this season. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has his eye on a longer-term restocking, perhaps with young pass catchers Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson as the building blocks. It’s just not realistic to think Cook will still…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dalvin-cook-released-by-vikings-pros-cons-of-minnesotas-decision-to-part-ways-with-star-rb-in-2023/
Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2023-06-10 14:30:11
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